Jones, Tigers handle Bastrop

Wednesday

Jan 9, 2013 at 3:07 AMJan 9, 2013 at 3:11 AM

BOYSNeville 68, Bastrop 50

Marq Mitcham

Laurence Jones funneled home 10 of his 19 points in the third quarter to lead a trio of Tigers in double figures as Neville handled Bastrop 68-50 Tuesday night in the District 2-4A curtain-raiser for both squads.

Jay Wilson's 3-pointer from the right corner gave the Rams their only lead, 3-2.

Neville then embarked on a 9-0 run, capped by three straight buckets from Jones, to go up 11-3.

Neville's lead swelled to 18-5 by the end of the opening quarter.

Bastrop outscored the Tigers 8-2 to open the second frame, closing the gap to 20-14 on a pair of breakaway buckets by Wilson.

Responding with a 3-point spree, the Tigers rattled off 12 unanswered points.

Leon Smith banked a trifecta off the window from the top of the circle, Chris Fuller swished a trey from the right corner and Smith drained another 3-ball from the left baseline. A tightly-guarded Kavonte Turpin then drained a deep 2 and Jones made one-of two from the line to put the Tigers in front 32-14.

Two 3s by Wilson helped trim the gap to 36-22 at recess.

Bastrop's Travion Burks nailed a jumper from the right corner to start the second half scoring and bring the Rams with 14, 36-22, but it was as close as the Rams would get.

Jones and Kylon Highshaw accounted for the game's next 14 points as Neville built its biggest lead of the evening, 50-24, early in the third period.

Neville (7-9) held a 56-36 advantage as the third quarter drew to a close.

Jones was joined in double figures by Smith with 15 — 13 in the first half — and Highshaw with 10.

Wilson was the lone Ram in double digits with 21.

Bastrop (8-13) visits Ruston on Friday, before returning home to face West Ouachita on Tuesday.

Notes: Former Neville and Prairie View head basketball coach Billy Pee attended the game. Neville head football coach Mickey McCarty removed his whistle and placed it around Pee's neck. When Neville head basketball coach Phillip Craig suggested that Pee take his chair prior to the game, the retired coach joked, “I would, but my wife (Jo Ann) wouldn't let me.” Pee guided Neville to the 1983-84 state championship. … Bastrop won the junior varsity game 39-38 behind Kajuan Madison's 12 points.